Sport

Olympic Games 'failed to inspire'

THE Olympic Games inspired fewer than one in five people to take part in more sport, according to a new poll.

The survey also found that just 16 per cent of women and 10 per cent of those aged over 55 were inspired to participate in more sporting activities by London 2012.

More than half of the British public (56 per cent) feel there is too much media coverage of football and not enough of other sports, while only 35 per cent have noticed an increase in non-football sports stories since the Games finished.

The survey of more than 1,000 people was conducted by ComRes for the Victoria Derbyshire programme on BBC Radio 5 live.

This hardly a surprise. The Olympics are no different to any other sporting event. For a few weeks afterwards everyone is playing tennis or cricket or whatever super sport is on prime time TV but the novelty soon fades and its back to the sofa.

After the Olympics the roads were full of brand new expensive racing cycles pedalled by middle aged men in multi-coloured kit. By this summer 99% of the bikes will be rusting at the back of garages.

This hardly a surprise. The Olympics are no different to any other sporting event. For a few weeks afterwards everyone is playing tennis or cricket or whatever super sport is on prime time TV but the novelty soon fades and its back to the sofa.
After the Olympics the roads were full of brand new expensive racing cycles pedalled by middle aged men in multi-coloured kit. By this summer 99% of the bikes will be rusting at the back of garages.GSAndy

Britain has developed into a nation of lardies... are we surprised that few people took anything up? Why waste time out in the cold when we can be sat at home watching Jeremy Kyle and thinking we are completely different to his subjects when ususally, they aren't.

It's our children I fear for. Far too often do I see an obese person dragging along a 'mini me' behind them. Children should be playing outside, with other children, getting healthy whilst building relationships and learning life skills. Sitting indoors playing the PS3 or Xbox whilst stuffing their little fat faces with more Wotsits is going to do nothing for them.

Put more money into sports facilities for everybody, don't give me the whole 'austerity' line, it's money you will save on bariatric ambulances and tank sized wheelchairs in the future.

Britain has developed into a nation of lardies... are we surprised that few people took anything up? Why waste time out in the cold when we can be sat at home watching Jeremy Kyle and thinking we are completely different to his subjects when ususally, they aren't.
It's our children I fear for. Far too often do I see an obese person dragging along a 'mini me' behind them. Children should be playing outside, with other children, getting healthy whilst building relationships and learning life skills. Sitting indoors playing the PS3 or Xbox whilst stuffing their little fat faces with more Wotsits is going to do nothing for them.
Put more money into sports facilities for everybody, don't give me the whole 'austerity' line, it's money you will save on bariatric ambulances and tank sized wheelchairs in the future.SimplyBen

...They used to work in the fields or factories all day, they used to eat much less than today...

And they used to die at much younger ages.

Only saying!

I dunno, people used to be very fit...
...They used to work in the fields or factories all day, they used to eat much less than today...
And they used to die at much younger ages.
Only saying!Polly Staight

SimplyBen wrote:
Britain has developed into a nation of lardies... are we surprised that few people took anything up? Why waste time out in the cold when we can be sat at home watching Jeremy Kyle and thinking we are completely different to his subjects when ususally, they aren't. It's our children I fear for. Far too often do I see an obese person dragging along a 'mini me' behind them. Children should be playing outside, with other children, getting healthy whilst building relationships and learning life skills. Sitting indoors playing the PS3 or Xbox whilst stuffing their little fat faces with more Wotsits is going to do nothing for them. Put more money into sports facilities for everybody, don't give me the whole 'austerity' line, it's money you will save on bariatric ambulances and tank sized wheelchairs in the future.

You're quick to demonise video games, you sound like you're from the 1950's, and maybe there's a lot of media coverage of football because it has a large following.

[quote][p][bold]SimplyBen[/bold] wrote:
Britain has developed into a nation of lardies... are we surprised that few people took anything up? Why waste time out in the cold when we can be sat at home watching Jeremy Kyle and thinking we are completely different to his subjects when ususally, they aren't. It's our children I fear for. Far too often do I see an obese person dragging along a 'mini me' behind them. Children should be playing outside, with other children, getting healthy whilst building relationships and learning life skills. Sitting indoors playing the PS3 or Xbox whilst stuffing their little fat faces with more Wotsits is going to do nothing for them. Put more money into sports facilities for everybody, don't give me the whole 'austerity' line, it's money you will save on bariatric ambulances and tank sized wheelchairs in the future.[/p][/quote]You're quick to demonise video games, you sound like you're from the 1950's, and maybe there's a lot of media coverage of football because it has a large following.Erith chap

Just because we enjoyed watching the Olympics doesnt mean we are all going to go out and start taking up athletics, swimming, cycling etc. We watch because we enjoy watching and have admiration for the people that are taking part.

Get over it!

Just because we enjoyed watching the Olympics doesnt mean we are all going to go out and start taking up athletics, swimming, cycling etc. We watch because we enjoy watching and have admiration for the people that are taking part.
Get over it!Hk

I'm actually in my twenties, so am of the video game generation. 1950's was before my time :D

I played video games (and sadly still do) and it didnt make me unfit or unhealthy. It's because I, and my parents, understood the power of moderate use, as i will impose when my boys are at that age when they want to be Player 2. (Plus i was happier outside)

There are always going to be those who aren't inspired to do activity, but my issue is the lack of availability of the facilities for those who DO wish to partake.

I'm actually in my twenties, so am of the video game generation. 1950's was before my time :D
I played video games (and sadly still do) and it didnt make me unfit or unhealthy. It's because I, and my parents, understood the power of moderate use, as i will impose when my boys are at that age when they want to be Player 2. (Plus i was happier outside)
There are always going to be those who aren't inspired to do activity, but my issue is the lack of availability of the facilities for those who DO wish to partake.SimplyBen

GSAndy - modern bikes don't rust. The only steel bit is the chain and that's normally oiled anyway. All the rest is aluminium alloy or even carbon fibre composite.

Anyway.... if these Olympics don't inspire people, then nothing will.

GSAndy - modern bikes don't rust. The only steel bit is the chain and that's normally oiled anyway. All the rest is aluminium alloy or even carbon fibre composite.
Anyway.... if these Olympics don't inspire people, then nothing will.marc8888

They moan when they are not given Kinghthoods, as if they havent "cash in"enough.
I always thought taking part was the thing!

£9.3 Billion spent so Lord Coe can be head of I.O.C in 5yrs time!
Dont forget most of the Medal winners
are Public School `oiks
They moan when they are not given Kinghthoods, as if they havent "cash in"enough.
I always thought taking part was the thing!nearly right all the time